God Meant It For Good

Many
of us have had experiences that we would like to forget and some that keep us
up at night. Maybe they were things done to us while we were children or adults
or maybe while we serving in some capacity. Despite the circumstances those
memories will always be with us. How we view these experiences can have a
lasting affect. There is a story in the Old Testament that may offer a helpful
perspective.

The story is about Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob. Jacob
is also known as Israel; God changed his name to Israel when he entered into
Bethel in Canaan with his eleven sons (Gen 35:10, ESV). It is also worth
mentioning that Joseph’s mom, Rachel, died giving birth to Joseph’s younger
brother Benjamin.

Some may consider Joseph to be an
optimistic kid. It seems that no matter what happened to him he always looked
at the bright side. But, there is something more meaningful going on. His story
begins when he is 17 years old. The Bible says that he was his father’s
favorite son (Gen. 37:3, ESV) and that his father gave him a cloak that had
many colors. Joseph also would snitch on his older brothers when they were
disobedient to their father. Needless to say there was bad blood between Joseph
and his older brothers. Then Joseph had a couple of significant dreams and when
he described them to his family, it caused a greater division between and him
and his brothers. The dream basically placed Joseph as head over his father and
brothers.

Then one day Joseph was sent north (approx.
40KM) by his father to check on his brothers. His brothers saw him approaching
and devised a plan to kill him. But instead of killing him they threw him into
a pit and eventually sold him into slavery. Knowing that they would have to
face their father, they also kept his multi-colored coat and smeared it with
animal’s blood to convince their father that he was killed by a wild animal.
This brought a tremendous amount of grief on his father, Jacob.

Joseph was sold to the Egyptian
Captain of the Guard, named Potiphar. Although Joseph had fallen on hard times
the Bible says, “the LORD was with Joseph” (Gen. 39:2a, ESV) and that he found
favor in Potiphar’s eyes; this resulted in Joseph becoming overseer in
Potiphar’s house. Joseph was a handsome young man and he caught the eye of
Potiphar’s wife, who wanted to seduce him. Joseph’s response was Godly: “How
then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9b, ESV) But
Potiphar’s wife was relentless, she took an opportunity to corner Joseph and
seduce him again when no one else was home. And when Joseph tried to escape she
grabbed a hold of his outer garment and he ran out of house. She devised a lie and
told her husband Joseph tried to rape her. Potiphar was so angry that he threw
Joseph in prison.

Again, “the Lord was with Joseph and
showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the
prison” (Gen 39:21, ESV). Joseph was promoted in prison to be in charge of all
the prisoners. Some time after, two men who served Pharaoh (the cupbearer and
the baker) committed a crime and were thrown in the same prison. They each had
a dream and Joseph offered to interpret the dream. He interpreted their dreams
and before they left Joseph told the the cupbearer to remember him. Joseph’s
interpretation of their dreams came true, but the cupbearer forgot Joseph, for
another two years.

Reflection: Can you think back to a
time when you have been wronged? How did you respond? Did you want justice? Were
you left with confusion and frustration? Did you respond in kind? Certainly,
Joseph had reason to respond to his situation with frustration: He was one of
the sons of Israel, God’s chosen people, yet time and time again his
circumstances grew grim. At this point in life I think I would have lost hope.
Fortunately, Joseph’s story doesn’t end there.

Two years after the cupbearer forgot
Joseph Pharaoh had a couple of dreams. The Bible says that Pharaoh couldn’t
find anyone to interpret his dreams, not even his Egyptian magicians. Then the
cupbearer remembered Joseph and informed Pharaoh that there is someone that
could help. Pharaoh called for Joseph and asked if he could interpret. Joseph
responded, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” (Gen.
41:16, ESV) Joseph continued to give God the glory. Pharaoh’s dream meant that
Egypt would be blessed with seven years of abundant harvest followed by an
earthly famine the world has never seen. Joseph had recommended storing up one
fifth of the harvest once a year for seven years and when the famine strikes
Egypt could sell the stored grain to all the earth. Pharaoh was so impressed
that he pardoned Joseph’s sentence. He said “Since God has shown you all this,
there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house,
and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the
throne will I be greater than you.” (Gen. 41:39-40, ESV) Pharaoh made Joseph
second in command over all of Egypt. Pharaoh also said, “I am Pharaoh, and
without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of
Egypt.” (Gen. 41:44, ESV). The Bible says that Joseph was 30 years old when he
was promoted second in command over all of Egypt.

Seven years of abundant harvest had passed and
Jospeh fathered two boys. Now came time for the famine. Although God had greatly
blessed him, Joseph never forgot what his brothers had done. He was so affected
that when his brothers came to purchase grain he accused them of being spies.
His brothers did not recognize him and denied it. They were genuinely there to
purchase grain and they explained to Joseph that they had left their younger
brother home with their father (Jacob). Then Joseph devised a plan to have them
bring their younger brother (Benjamin) back to Egypt. After they returned with
Benjamin, Joseph divulged his true identity and his brothers were flabbergasted.
Eventually, the whole family was reunited in Egypt and Joseph’s father (Jacob)
wept with joy. After Jacob’s death his older brothers were worried that Joseph
would retaliate for what they put him through. They said, “Your father gave
this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression
of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please
forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” (Gen.
59:17-18, ESV). Joseph answered, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As
for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it
about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear;
I will provide for you and your little ones.” (Gen. 59:19-21, ESV).

How does Joseph’s story relate to us?
God had a plan for Joseph. God has a plan for us. I will always remember the
difficult times in my youth, as well as my military career. I will always
remember my failures as a husband and father. But one thing I have learned:
despite my failures, God is faithful. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you
meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith
produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may
be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let
him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given
him.” (James 1:2-5, ESV)

James is saying that when
we go through trials (and we will) we may lack wisdom, we should ask God
and He is faithful to give us wisdom. The Apostle Paul is pointed in saying
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for
those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he
also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he
might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:28-29, ESV)

We were created by God. And although trials may come, we
have options. We can either choose to isolate or seek wisdom from the God who
made us.